Tailgate tote system

ABSTRACT

A tailgate tote system including a storage container assembly having a container with a plurality of storage compartments, and a lid having a plurality of compartment-lids. Each of the plurality of storage compartments include one of the plurality of compartment-lids. Each of the plurality of compartment-lids are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of the plurality of storage compartments without removing the lid of the container. The storage container assembly provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/623,782 filed Jan. 30, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more specifically relates to multi-compartment containers.

2. Description of Related Art

People often take food with them, whether tailgating, camping, going to the beach or lake, or throwing an outdoor party or event. Unfortunately, it can be a hassle to transfer food into individual plastic containers and then stack them in a cooler or bag. Not only can the food tip over and spill during transit, but it may also get warm or cool off, allowing foodborne illnesses to grow and making people sick. Some people may wrap food in aluminum foil instead, but this doesn't create an airtight seal or keep insects out. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,797 to Chris Smalley relates to a food-carrying case. The described food-carrying case includes a food-carrying container constructed to resemble a conventional tote case so that a person can carry his or her lunch to an office without attracting undue attention or concern by other people. The food-carrying case includes a tray and hinged lid that have mating insulative foam liners. The tray case may be internally partitioned to form at least four insulated compartments. A thermal bottle, containing cold thermally active material, is mounted within the lid to maintain the associated food items at a desired temperature until the time at which the food items are to be consumed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known containers art, the present disclosure provides a novel tailgate tote system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a simple, convenient way to store and transport different foods in the same container.

A tailgate tote system is disclosed herein. The tailgate tote system includes a storage container assembly having a container with a plurality of storage compartments, and a lid having a plurality of compartment-lids. The lid is hingedly coupled to the container. Each of the plurality of storage compartments comprise one of the plurality of compartment-lids. Each of the plurality of compartment-lids are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of the plurality of storage compartments without removing the lid of the container. In a preferred embodiment, the container includes three of the plurality of storage compartments and the lid includes three of the plurality of compartment-lids. The container further includes carrying handles positioned on an exterior portion of the container. The storage container assembly provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a tailgate tote system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tailgate tote system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tailgate tote system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tailgate tote system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tailgate tote system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tailgate tote system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to containers and more particularly to a tailgate tote system as used to improve the storage of items in a portable manner.

Generally, the present invention provides a simple, convenient way to store and transport different foods in the same container. It keeps food hot or cold within three separate compartments with their own lid. The device may have any number of compartments, it can be any color of plastic and it can be logo accessible. The device helps prevent contamination of foodborne illnesses, which typically flourishes in hot or even room-temperature weather. The present invention effectively alleviates the hassle of storing food in aluminum foil or separate plastic containers, which aren't very durable and allow pesky insects access to food. As designed it doubles as an easy way for people to organize their kitchen at home before cooking a meal.

The tailgate tote system keeps food hot or cold, organized, and safe to eat. This innovative product features an insulated container, made from plastic or other suitable material, with three separate integrated compartments. An insulated lid with three separate compartments can be secured on top of the container, creating an airtight gasket around each compartment. Additionally, the lid can have three hinged doors with push-button latches, each providing individual access to the subsequent compartment without removing the entire lid. Additionally, on all four sides of the container can be latches; on the sides of the container can be comfortable, ergonomic handles. Further, the bottom half of the container measures approximately 18″ long, 10″ wide, and 6″ deep. Each compartment measures about 6″ wide and 4″ deep. However, the container may be offered in various sizes as needed to accommodate user needs.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a tailgate tote system 100. FIG. 1 shows a tailgate tote system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the tailgate tote system 100 may include a storage container assembly 110 having a container 120 with a plurality of storage compartments 122, and a lid 130 having a plurality of compartment-lids 132. Each of the plurality of storage compartments 122 comprise one of the plurality of compartment-lids 132. Each of the plurality of compartment-lids 132 are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of the plurality of storage compartments 122 without removing the lid 130 of the container 120. The storage container assembly 110 provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tailgate tote system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tailgate tote system 100 may include the storage container assembly 110 having the container 120 with the plurality of storage compartments 122, and the lid 130 having the plurality of compartment-lids 132. The container 120 is insulated to keep food items hot or cold within the plurality of storage compartments 122 with their own compartment-lid 132. In a preferred embodiment, the container 120 includes three of the plurality of storage compartments 122 and the lid 130 includes three of the plurality of compartment-lids 132.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tailgate tote system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tailgate tote system 100 may include the container 120 with the plurality of storage compartments 122, and the lid 130 having the plurality of compartment-lids 132. The plurality of compartment-lids 132 are hingedly coupled to the lid 130 and configured to pivot between an open and closed position. The plurality of compartment-lids 132 each include push-button latches 134 or other suitable fasteners. The plurality of compartment-lids 132 create an airtight seal when in a latched and closed position via sealing means. The plurality of compartment-lids 132 are positioned above and in communication with a respective one of the plurality of storage compartments 122. The plurality of storage compartments 122 each having an inner volume for storage of separate items.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the tailgate tote system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tailgate tote system 100 may include the storage container assembly 110 to store and organize different foods in the same container 120. The container 120 has a greater container-depth than a depth of the plurality of storage compartments 122. The lid 130 has a substantially similar periphery, such that the lid 130 is configured to engage a top-edge 124 of the container 120 and create a single unit. In a most preferred embodiment, the container-depth is approximately 6 inches and the depth of the plurality of storage compartments 122 is approximately 4 inches and the container 120 has a length of approximately 18 inches, however, other sizes may be provided to accommodate various uses.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the tailgate tote system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the tailgate tote system 100 may include the container 120 with the plurality of storage compartments 122, and the lid 130 having the plurality of compartment-lids 132 for the compartmentalized storage of items within. The lid 130 is hingedly coupled to the container 120. The container 120 further includes a locking-member 126 configured to latch the lid in a closed position. The container 120 may comprise latches configured to engage and alternatively disengage the lid 130 from the container 120. In one embodiment, the container 120 comprises four of the latches, configured on each side of the container 120. The container 120 further includes carrying handles 140 positioned on an exterior portion of the container 120.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A tailgate tote system comprising: a storage container assembly having; a container; a plurality of storage compartments; a lid; a plurality of compartment-lids; wherein each of said plurality of storage compartments comprise one of said plurality of compartment-lids; wherein each of said plurality of compartment-lids are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of said plurality of storage compartments without removing the lid of said container; and wherein said storage container assembly provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit.
 2. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container is insulated.
 3. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container includes three of said plurality of storage compartments.
 4. The tailgate tote system of claim 3, wherein said lid includes three of said plurality of compartment-lids.
 5. The tailgate tote system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of compartment-lids are hingedly coupled to said lid and configured to pivot between an open and closed position.
 6. The tailgate tote system of claim 5, wherein said plurality of compartment-lids each include push-button latches.
 7. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of compartment-lids create an airtight seal when in a latched and closed position via sealing means.
 8. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of compartment-lids are positioned above and in communication with a respective one of said plurality of storage compartments.
 9. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of storage compartments each having an inner volume.
 10. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container has a greater container-depth than a depth of said plurality of storage compartments.
 11. The tailgate tote system of claim 10, wherein said container-depth is approximately 6 inches and said depth of said plurality of storage compartments is approximately 4 inches.
 12. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container has a length of approximately 18 inches.
 13. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said lid has a substantially similar periphery, such that said lid is configured to engage a top-edge of said container and create a single unit.
 14. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said lid is hingedly coupled to said container.
 15. The tailgate tote system of claim 14, wherein said container further includes a locking-member configured to latch said lid in a closed position.
 16. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container comprises latches configured to engage and alternatively disengage said lid from said container.
 17. The tailgate tote system of claim 16, wherein said container comprises four of said latches, configured on each side of said container.
 18. The tailgate tote system of claim 1, wherein said container further includes carrying handles.
 19. The tailgate tote system of claim 18, wherein said handles are positioned on an exterior portion of said container.
 20. A tailgate tote system, the tailgate tote system comprising: a storage container assembly having; a container; a plurality of storage compartments; a lid; a plurality of compartment-lids; wherein each of said plurality of storage compartments comprise one of said plurality of compartment-lids; wherein each of said plurality of compartment-lids are configured to open and provide individual access to a respective one of said plurality of storage compartments without removing the lid of said container; and wherein said storage container assembly provides portable and compartmentalized storage for a plurality of items in a single unit; wherein said container is insulated; wherein said container includes three of said plurality of storage compartments; wherein said lid includes three of said plurality of compartment-lids; wherein said plurality of compartment-lids are hingedly coupled to said lid and configured to pivot between an open and closed position; wherein said plurality of compartment-lids each include push-button latches; wherein said plurality of compartment-lids create an airtight seal when in a latched and closed position via sealing means; wherein said plurality of compartment-lids are positioned above and in communication with a respective one of said plurality of storage compartments; wherein said plurality of storage compartments each having an inner volume; wherein said container has a greater container-depth than a depth of said plurality of storage compartments; wherein said lid has a substantially similar periphery, such that said lid is configured to engage a top-edge of said container and create a single unit; wherein said lid is hingedly coupled to said container; wherein said container further includes a locking-member configured to latch said lid in a closed position; wherein said container comprises latches configured to engage and alternatively disengage said lid from said container; wherein said container comprises four of said latches, configured on each side of said container; wherein said container further includes carrying handles; and wherein said handles are positioned on an exterior portion of said container. 